No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.

Thank you for joining us for the Secular Coalition for Oklahoma monthly conference call!

The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c)(4) lobbying organization representing secular and nontheistic Americans.

Based in Washington DC, we are working to make sure that you are heard on Capitol Hill, on the federal level, yet some of the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are being promoted and passed at a state level.

The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country to bring together secular and nontheistic Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.

State Government

Governor Mary Fallin

Republican elected in 2010

Oklahoma State Legislature

Oklahoma State Senate

48 senators serving 4 year terms

Republican Party holds a 32-16 majority

24 seats up for election in November

Oklahoma House of Representatives

101 representatives serving 2 year terms

Republican Party holds a 68-31 majority

All 101 seats up for election in November

U.S. House of Representatives

Oklahoma's 5 seats in the U.S. house are up for election in November

Currently 4 are held by the Republican Party, 1 held by the Democratic Party

Issues/Events

OK SR 62 - Would ban same-sex marriage

OK SB 1433 – Would define life as beginning at conception.

OK HCR 1024- Would declare the official motto of the State of Oklahoma to be "Oklahoma--In God We Trust"

Cannot “electioneer” – endorse or speak out against specific candidates

Oklahoma Lobbying Rules: Lobbyist means any individual who is employed or retained by another for financial or other compensation to perform services that include lobbying.

Chapters are representatives of the SCA

Same Mission- to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.

Similar Purpose - accomplish its mission through cooperation between local groups and coordinated state lobbying activities.

As lobbyists we must be the diplomats of the secular movement

Nonpartisan, respectful, diplomatic

We believe secular values are American values

Fundraising

Fundraising challenges prevent chapter growth

SCA will do all the fundraising and provide all resources the chapter needs

Donations will go to the SCA for the benefit of the state chapters

Official Chapter Recognition

Once your state chapter is organized, the executive committee and a representative of the SCA will sign a memo of understanding officially recognizing the Secular Coalition for California and giving the group access to our resources.

Leadership / Executive Committee

No set number of members or roles

Flexible to availability and strengths of individuals who want to get involved

Those who do not wish to be on the Executive Committee, but still want to play an active role and help out once there is work to be done, please email me [email protected].

Database

Sign up to receive action alerts to be part of a grassroots campaign when particular issues arise. Sign up online here.

SCA’s Support for the Chapters

Conference Calls

Initial organizing calls focus on setting up the structure, identifying leadership, discussing how the legislature in California operates and the best ways to meet the needs of the Secular Coalition for California

Future monthly calls will become a way to educate and inform: track legislation, coordinate lobbying efforts and coordinate secular organizations.